Lt. Amir Ben-Aryeh

February 6, 2003 - Lt. Amir Ben-Aryeh, 21, of Reut, was one of two soldiers killed in a clash with terrorists at a paratroop outpost on Mount Gerizim overlooking Nablus.

The firefight took place at around midnight, when two terrorists sent by Fatah's Tanzim militia and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine infiltrated the perimeter of the temporary base. The outpost, situated in a one-story building that formerly housed a dance hall, was exposed to fire on all sides by large windows. When the terrorists approached, intending to fire and throw grenades at the soldiers inside, they were surprised by a departing patrol and opened fire from point blank range.

St.-Sgt. Idan Suzin, 21, who was sleeping in an inner room, was wakened by the gunfire and jumped up to respond, when he was shot in the chest and mortally wounded. One of the terrorists was killed by return fire. Lt. Ben-Aryeh, the commander of the outpost, climbed to the roof of the building and exchanged fire with the remaining terrorist. During the firefight Ben-Aryeh was shot in the head and killed. The second terrorist was killed soon after. Two other soldiers were moderately and lightly wounded.

Ben-Aryeh was an outstanding graduate of the Maccabim-Reut High School, where he concentrated on biology and computer science. He was an active member of the Scouts movement and worked to develop it in his community.

"He was a boy full of the joy of life," said principal Ruth Lasri, "one who always was surrounded by friends. He was always willing to help with anything you asked. He especially loved to work with children, which was why he was so involved with the Scouts."

Ben-Aryeh volunteered for the paratroops two years ago and until recently had been stationed in Hebron. His budding military career was no surprise to Lasri: "Even at high school we knew he'd be 'something' in the army. He was infused with motivation, and it was clear that he'd be a combat soldier. The army was in his soul."